Craigslist shooter get 25 years

Published 9:50 pm, Friday, December 21, 2012

BRIDGEPORT -- A Craigslist scam that nearly lured a Massachusetts construction worker to his death here has cost a city man the next 25 years of his life.

Andrew Dickson was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years of special parole after being convicted of shooting the victim in the neck when the man had second thoughts about coming up with the money in the scam.

During the sentencing hearing, the 25-year-old victim, who asked that his name not be revealed because he fears a suspect who is still at large, broke down in tears as he told Superior Court Judge George Thim how he came very close to death.

"There is no toleration in this community for gun violence and a substantial period of incarceration is warranted in this case," Senior Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Corradino said.

On Jan. 9, 2010, the victim responded by email to an ad on Craigslist for an all-terrain vehicle for sale.

Police said the victim was subsequently contacted by the person who placed the ad, who said to meet him behind an apartment on Terrace Circle to see the ATV.

When the victim got to the location, he was confronted by Dickson and another unidentified man, police said.

Dickson pulled out a gun and ordered the victim to turn over his money, police continued. When the victim balked, police said Dickson shot him in the leg and the neck. Dickson then took the victim's cellphone and a GPS unit before fleeing, police said.

Witnesses later told police Dickson had bragged that he shot the victim because he didn't come up with any money. The 20-year-old Dickson was later convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and first-degree assault for the crime.

Police said Dickson is also suspected in two other robberies committed through a Craigslist ad.